Purchase sheet marking device



Jan. 4, 1949. P. H. BURN 2,457,864

PURCHASE SHEET MARKING DEVICE Filed Jan. 8, 1946 LETTucE 2 MATCHES 44 E INVENTOR /P/wz /P/ .50K/V Patented Jan. 4, 1949 PURCHASE ISHEET I MARKING DEVICE philip H. Burn, Forest Hills, N. Y.

Application January 8, 1946, Serial No. 639,865

This invention relates to devices for use in marking by. piercing a purchase sheet to indicate purchases to be made. More particularly, the in-. Vention deals with a device or" the kind dened, wherein a series of purchase sheets are arranged 17 claims. (o1. 164-9112) in joined relationship to each other in the device and disposed therefrom one at a time, means being provided in the device for piercing la sheet supported in piercing position, to indicate adjacent the names of articles printed on the sheet, the articles to be purchased, the outer surface of the device having registering names of the articles appearing on the sheet with means for desienating articles to be purchased. More particularly, the invention deals with the device of the kind dened, wherein the designating means also forms the sheet piercing means, the device having a manually actuated member for moving the sheet into position to be perforated -by said desighating means. The novel features of the invenn tion will be best understood from the following description when takentogether'with the accompanying ,drawing in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the Views, and in which: i l

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device made according to my invention, with parts of the construe tion broken away and in section.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

showing the sheet operating member in normal' position.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a partial section on the vline 4 4 of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. V5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing. only a part of the construction, with parts in a different position, the View lbeing on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5, showing the piercing and designating elements in piercing and designating position in full lines, and in normal position, in dot-dash lines. c i

While my invention deals primarilycwith devices or apparatus for piercing a purchase sheet to indicate articles to be purchased,rin what is commonly referred to as a shopping list, the invention is adaptable for use in piercing strips or sheets of any type or kind, and for any suitable purpose.

In illustrating one adaptation and use of my invention, I have `shown in the accompanying drawing an oblong rectangular box or case I6, the top wall of which has an inwardly set rounded portion II, below and outwardly of which is a table I2, having aninturned iiange portion I3.

The table.V I2 is adapted to supportfone end poi"- tion I4 of a purchasing or shopping sheet I5. At the outer end of the4 table I2 is a cutter or tear-01T .ledge l.5,'which maybeproduced in any desired manner, so as to tear each sheet I5 from adjacent sheets, which in the present construction are arranged in folded relationship toeach other, as seen in the .stack I5', noteFig. 3.

. Arranged in the case I adjacenty the other end thereof is a transverse frame or supporting rod il. The outer surface-of the rod I'I is rounded, note Fig. 3, to guide the paper sheets I as they are drawn-.in the direction of the forward or table `,end I2 of the casing.

Mounted in the rod I'I and flange I3, is an elongated pvotshaft IB, on which is pivoted a sheet supporting and operating member or platform I9. -The member or platform I9 has at one side, an .upwardly projecting ngerpiece 2i! which extends freely through an` opening 2| in the top 22 of thecasing I0, and projects above the top 22 sulciently to provide thenecessary operation or Extending longitudinally of the side portion of y the member; i3, to which the spring 23 is attached, is a series of openings 2l which are arranged beneath and in registering alinement with the corresponding number of elongated apertures 28 inthe top wall 22 of the case ICI. Extending along the inner surface of the top wall 22 of the case Iltis, a downwardlyand laterally extending hook-,shaped `flange 29 having a rounded edge portion SHUMtheange forming Ibetween the same and the `top wall 22 a corresponding longitudi nal recess 3l. The fiange 2 9 provides means for supporting designating` and piercing elements 32 in voperative and .inoperative position-s, as shown in full and dot and dash lines in Eig; 6 of the drawing. One of the elements 32 is arranged within each of the apertures 28, the elements being free to swing upon a ypivot rod 33 supported in end walls of thecase I0.

u Each element is'- of the same construction, so

thatHthe brief description of one will apply to all. Each element 32 has'a ngerpiece portion 34 extending through thetaperture28 and projecting above thetop -22 of the case. The inner end portion of the lelement has a `downwardly extending pointed marker or piercer 35 above which is a laterally extending nger portion 35 which projects to one side of the element 32. Projecting from the other side thereof is a spring member 31 having a rounded end 38. The rounded end 38 oi the spring member is adapted to operate in conjunction with the flange 29 in supporting each of the elements 32 in the full and dot-dash line positions shown in Fig. 6, the element snapping into either of these positions from a neutral position, such as shown in Fig. 5, which position is illustrated primarily to indicate automatic return of elements to normal position through the means which will now be described. i

Supported upon the right side of the member or platform I9, as seen in the drawing, land adjacent the ends of the platform are upstanding spring arms 39, in the upper ends of which is supported a rod 49, which extends longitudinally of the case to a degree greater than the position occupied by the elements 32, as will appear from a consideration of Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawing.

When the member or platform I9 is in its normal position, asshown in Fig. 2, the elements 32 are free to be swung from the normal dot-dash position, as indicated in Fig. 6, to the full line position, as will appear from a consideration of Fig. 2 of the drawing, the fingers 3B clearing the rod 40 in this operation. However, in depressing the ngerpiece 20 to move the same from the position shown in Fig. 2, to that shown in Fig. 6, the rod lil will ride over the lower bevelled surface 36 of the ngers 36 and extend to the position shown in Fig. 6, thus as the spring 23 returns the member or platform I9 to the position shown in Fig. 2, .the downward movement of the rod 4E) will engage the ngers 36 of all of the elements 32 which are in the full line position and operate to simultaneously return all of the ngers to the inoperative or dot-dash position of Fig. 6, part of this operation being illustrated in Fig. 5, where one of the elements is shown in what may be termed an intermediate position just prior to the instant that the rod 40 snaps the element to inoperative position and passes below said element.

Supported on the platform I9 adjacent and above the apertures 2'I is a comb-like strip 4I, the several ngers 42 of which are disposed between the apertures 21 and the elements 32 and serve to free the sheet I5 from the piercers 35 of the elements as the member or platform I9 moves.'

downwardly by the spring 23.

The upper surface 22 of the case I0 has arranged longitudinally thereof a series of titles designating articles, products or objects to be purchased. For illustration, a few of such markings or characterizations are shown at 43 to designate what may be termed aA- market listing for the purchase of conventional food and other household requirements. A few only of such indicia 43 are shown in Fig. l, to simplify the illustration. For example, lettuce, matches, meat, milk, nuts, oranges and potatoes.

The sheet I5 also has printed or otherwise arranged thereon identical markings or indicia positioned directly beneath the markings 43, for example, at 44, in Fig. 1, is shown the indicia at of the word meat as appearing on the sheet I5 by breaking away the top wall 22 of the case Ill.

3. `The markings orindicia, as well as the indicia This alinement and registration is main` tained by registration of the end I5" of the sheet* I5 in alinement with the cutter edge I6, note Fig'.

4* 44 are in registering alinement with the apertures 28 in the top wall 22 and the apertures 2'I in the member or platform I9.

A housewife from time to time through the 5 day, can move the elements 32 to the left to designate purchases which she intends to make when going to the stores. Then when it is desired to proceed to make the purchases, the ngerpiece 20 is depressed, thus moving the right side of the sheet I5 upwardly and passing the piercer points 35 of all of the shifted elements 32 through the sheet I5, as seen at 45, in Fig. 6 of the drawing. It will here be understood that the piercer points 35` of the elements 32 assuming the full line position will be the only elements which mark the sheet and by perforating the same. Upon release of the pressure upon the' ngerpieee 20, the spring 23 immediately returns the member I9 Ito the-position of Fig. 2, automatically returning all of the actuated elements 32 to the dot-dash line position oi Fig. 6, whereupon the pierced purchase sheet I5 is drawn forwardly through the opening 45 until the end of this sheet registers with the cutter I6, whereupon the advance sheet is torn-of, leaving the next successive sheet in position for piercing, as above indicated.

In practice, the more or less continuous ribbon- Y like strip from which the separate sheets I5 are v on the device.

It will be understood that the device under consideration may also be used commercially in piercing sale-slips to simplify the process of `conducting sales, particularly in stores where it is customary to write out sale-slips for articles purchased. This procedure would be particularly adaptable in grocery stores where staple items are purchased, and a positive recording will be had -rrat all times of the items purchased. Sales computation can be tabulated on the conventional adding machine, as used in many of the larger establishments of this type and kind. In this procedure, the salesman would simply operate the element 32 to indicate the articles purchased by the customer, then mark the sales-sheet in the manner above indicated, and irom this thel price tabulation can be made. Such incidentals as the quantity of each item purchased can be readily fbcalculated. The important thing is to indicate on the sales-slip the number of items which have been purchased,

The foregoing is mentioned to indicate one other of the possible uses of the invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A device ci' the class described comprising an tions` protruding outwardlythrough the openings@ upon'the characterizations or indicia employed Y of said case, each strip having indicia `thereon in registering alinement with said piercing elements when thestrip has one end thereof accessible through one end of the case, said piercing elements being manually movable into piercing position, manually actuated means in the case for moving said strip into operative engagement with said elements supported in Ipiercing position to pierce the-strip in alinement with the indicia thereon registering with said last named elements, means for supporting each piercing element in piercing and non-piercing positions, said `last named means comprising a hook-shaped flange extending longitudinally ofV said openings, and said elements having spring members operatively engaging the ange in supporting said elements in operative and inoperative positions.

2. A device of the class described comprising an elongated case, a plurality of characterized openings spaced longitudinally of one wall of the case, the case being adapted to support elongated strips, with one end of a stripl accessible outwardly of one end of the case, piercing elements pivotally` mounted in the case and having iingerpiece portions protruding outwardly through the openings of said case, each strip having indicia thereon in registering alinement with said piercing elements when the strip has one end thereof accessible through one end of the case, said piercing elements being manually movable into piercing position, manually actuated means in the case for moving said strip into operative engagement with said elements supported in piercing position Ato pierce'the strip in alinement with the indicia thereon registering with said last named elements, said last named means comprising a platform pivotally mounted in the case, the platform having a plurality of apertures in registering alinement with the openings of the case and the elements movably supsible outwardly'of one end of the case, piercing the case, said piercing elements being manually ported therein, and said elements having end portures of the platform.

3. A device of the class described comprising an elongated case7 a plurality of characterized openings lspaced longitudinally of one wall of the case, the casel being adapted to support elongated strips, with one end of a strip accessible outwardly of one end of the case, piercing elements pivotally mounted in the case and having iingerpiece portions protruding outwardly through the openings of said case, each strip having indicia thereon in registering alinement with said Vpiercing elements when the strip has one end thereof accessible through one end of the case, said piercing elements being manually movable into piercing position, manually actuated means in the case for moving said strip into operative engagement with said elements supported in piercing position to pierce the strip in alinement with the indicia thereon registering with said last named elements, said last named movable into piercing position, manually actuated means in the case for moving said strip into operative engagement with said elements supported in piercing position to pierce the strip in alinement with the indicia thereon registering with said last named elements, said last named ported therein, said elements having endportionsadapted to pierce'the strip through the apertures of the platform, a spring for returning the platform to a normal position, and means on the platform operatively engaging all elements supported in piercing position to return said elements to non-piercing position in the return of the platform to normal position. i

5. A strip punching device of the character dened, said device comprising an elongated case, means in the case for supporting an elongated Work-strip, the case having, longitudinally of one surface thereof, predetermined indicia, a plurality i of piercing elements pivoted directly to the case and arranged longitudinally of the case in registering alinementwith the indicia thereon, said elements being normally supported in nonpiercing position with respect to said indicia and adapted for manual movement into piercing position therewithin designating selections of pre. determined indicia on said case, said means supporting a strip normally in spaced relation to said elements when in piercing position, and a directly manually actuated member protruding through the case for moving said means and a strip supported thereon into position engaging theelements moved into piercing position to pierce in the strip the selection of indicia on said case.

6. A strip device of the character defined, said device comprising an elongated case, means in the case for supporting an elongated work-strip, the case having, longitudinally of one surface thereof, predetermined indicia, a plurality of pivoted piercing elements arranged longitudinally of the case in registering alinement with the in dicia thereon, said elements being normally supported in non-piercing position with respect to said indicia and adapted for manual movement into piercing positiontherewith in designating selections of predetermined indicia on said case, said means supporting a strip normally in spaced relation to said elements when in piercing position, a manually actuated member protruding through the case for moving said means and a strip supported thereon into positionengaging the elements moved into piercing position to pierce in the strip the selection of indicia on said case, and means for automatically returning all of said elements to normal position upon completion of the piercing of said strip.

7. A` strip punching device of the character defined, said device comprising an elongated case, means in the case for supporting an elongated work-strip, the case having, longitudinally of one surfacethereof, predetermined indicia, a plurality of pivoted `piercing elements arranged longitudinally of the case in registering alinement aes-aseos;

mally'in spaced relation to said elements whenrin piercing position, a manually actuated member-protruding throughlthe case for movingsaid means and a strip supported thereon into' position'engaging the elements moved into' piercing positionf to pierce in the stripthe selectionv of indiciaon' said ca`se,means for automatically returningfall of said elements t`o normal position upon completion of the piercing of said strip, and

means for allowing manual removal of a marked stripffrom theicase and for positioning av successive-strip in the case, preparatory for piercing the 811A' strip punching device of the character denedgisaidtdevice comprising an elongated case, means Ain the case for supporting an! elongated work-strip, the case having, longitudinally of one surface thereof, predetermined indicia, a pluralityI--of'pivoted piercing elements arranged longitudinally of the case in registering alinement with the indiciafthereon, said elements being normally supported in non-.piercing position with respectto said indicia `and adapted for manual movement Tinto piercing.` position therewith in designating selectionsof predetermined indicia onsaid' case, said means supporting a strip normally'in spaced relation to said elements when in piercing position, a manually actuated member protruding-through the case for moving said,

means and a strip supported thereon into position` engaging thev elements moved into piercing positiontofpierce in the strip the selection of indicial on said case, means for automatically returning all of'said elements to normal position upon-completion of the piercing of said strip, means for allowing manual removal of a marked strip from the case and for positioning a successive strip in the case, preparatory for piercing the same, and means on said nrst namedmeans for stripping the sheet from all rof said elements.

9; A device'of the class described comprisingv anwelongated case, a plurality of characterized openings spaced longitudinally of onewall of the case, a platform in .the case adapted to support elongated strips,` with oneend of a strip accessible outwardly of one end of the case, piercing elements pivotally mounted in the case and having finger-piece portions protruding outwardly throughthe-openings of said case, each strip having indicia thereon in registering alinement with said piercing elements when the strip has one end thereof accessible through one end of the case, said piercing elements'being manually movable into piercing position, manually actuated means projecting through the case for moving said platform yand a strip supported thereon into operative engagement with all of said elements supportedin piercing positionto pierce the strip in alinement with theindicia thereon `registering with said last named elements, means for automatically-moving the platform and the strip supported thereon out of engagement with -said last.

1Q. A'device of `the class describedcomprisingan elongatedncase, a plurality of ,characterized` openings spaced longitudinally of one, wall of the caseiafnlgtforgi,inline ses@ adapted-lio .support said'elements-being nur#` elongated stip's, .'withi one end of' astripv acces# sible'outwardly ofone vlend of thecase,piercing i elements pivotally mounted inthe case andhaving ngerpiece .portions `protruding outwardly 5 through the openings of saidcaseyeach strip having indiciai'thereon'inregistering alinernent with said piercing elements when the strip has one end` thereof `accessiblethrough one end of the case, saidvv piercing elements 'being manually movable l cinto piercing position, manually actuated means projecting through the case for moving said platform and a strip supported thereof into operative engagementwith all of said elements supported in piercing position to pierce the strip in l f-zalinement lwith the indicia thereon registering with said last named elements,` means for automatically moving the platform and the strip supportedthereon v'out of engagement with said last named elements, meansl for returning all of the goolast named elements-into non-piercing position,

and means on the caseand each element for tensionally'supporting each element in piercing and non-piercing -p'ositionsl 11V. A device 'of the class described comprislan elongated case, a plurality of characterized 'openings spaced longitudinally of one wall of the'case, a platform in the case adapted'to support elongatedstrips, with one end of a strip accessible outwardly Aof one end 0f the case, piercgooi-ngelementsl pivotally mounted in the case and having nngerpiece portions protruding outwardly through the openings of said case, each strip having indicia thereonl in registering alinement with saidY piercing elements when the strip has :isaone'end thereof accessible through one end of the case, said piercing elements being manually movable intov piercing position, manually actuated means projecting throughthe case for moving said platform and a strip supported thereof into operative' engagement with all of Said elements 'supported infpiering position to pierce the strip in alinernent with the indicia thereon registering with said last named elements, means for automaticallymoving the platform and the strip last named elements, means for returning all of thelast named elements into non-piercing position', means on the' case and each element for tensionallyH supporting. each element in piercing and, non-piercing positions, n ySaid last named means comprising an elongated hook flange on the case, .andwspring members OneaCheleme'nt engaging saidrange in both positions of said element.

y12. A device for punching anindicia strip having predetermined arrangement of indicia thereon, said device comprising a -pivoted platform having apredetermined,alinement of apertures therein, a corresponding number of piercing element with theLaperturesnof said platform, said elementsmhavingpronged Aends adapted to pass thrgughfthe'-apertures. in. the platform in piercing an [indicia Hstrip arranged on the platform overv said apertures, means normally supporting all4 ,of Ithe s elements; in g non-piercing position, means for normallysupporting that, part of the platform Vhaving the apertures therein in spaced into piercingpositiommeans forlsupporting said elementswin the piercinguposition, and manuallyj actuated means on the platform for moving the apertured portion .offtheplatform in Ithe direc- 16 ation faisaiueleewnie;supeorieiiil rigging pose supported thereon out of engagement with said 4ments pivotally supported in registeringl alinef relation to said elements when manuallyl moved A tion, and simultaneously piercing a sheet by all of said elements.

13. A device for punching an indicia strip having predetermined arrangement of indicia thereon, said device comprising a pivoted platform having a predetermined alinement of apertures therein, a corresponding number of piercing elcments pivotally supported in registering alinement with the apertures of said platform, said elements having pronged ends adapted to pass through the apertures in the platform in piercing an indicia strip arranged on the platform over said apertures, means normally supporting all of the elements in non-piercing position, means for normally supporting that part of the platform having the apertures therein in spaced relation to said elements when manually moved into piercing position, means for supporting said elements in the piercing position, manually actuated means on the platform for moving the apertured portion of the platform in the direction of said elements supported in piercing position, simultaneously piercing a sheet by all of said elements, and means for returning all of said elements to non-piercing position upon release of the platform and movement thereof into normal position.

14. A device for punching an indicia strip having predetermined arrangement of indicia thereon, said device comprising a pivoted platform having a predetermined alinement of apertures therein, a corresponding number of piercing elements lnivotally supported in registering alinement witn the apertures of said platform, said elements having pronged ends adapted to pass through the apertures in the platform in piercing an indicia strip arranged on the platform over said apertures, means normally supporting all of the elements in non-piercing position, means for normally supporting that part of the platform having the apertures therein in spaced relation to said elements when manually moved into piercing position, means for supporting said elements in the piercing position, manually actuated means on the platform for moving the apertured portion of the platform in the direction of said elements supported in piercing position, simultaneously piercing a sheet by all of said elements, means for returning all of said elements to nonpiercing position upon release of the platform and movement thereof into normal position, and means for stripping the pierced sheet from all of said elements in return of the platform to normal position.

15. A device for punching an indicia strip having predetermined arrangement of indicia thereon, said device comprising a pivoted platform having a predetermined alinement of apertures therein, a corresponding number of piercing elements pivotally supported in registering alinement with the apertures of said platform, said elements having pronged ends adapted to pass through the apertures in the platform in piercing an indicia strip arranged on the platform over said apertures, means normally supporting all of the elements in non-piercing position, means for normally supporting that part of the platform having the apertures therein in spaced relation to lsaid elements when manually7 moved into piercing position, means for supporting said elements in the piercing position, manually actuated means on the platform foi1 moving the aper'tured portion of the platform in the direction of said elements supported in piercing position, simultaneously piercing a sheet by all of said elements, means for returning all of said elements to non-piercing position upon release of the platform and movement thereof into normal position, means for stripping the pierced sheet from all of said elements in return of the platform to normal position, and dual means supporting all of said elements in normal non-piercing position.

16. In a device for piercing an elongated strip with piercings extending longitudinally o'f the strip, said device comprising a frame, a plurality of alined piercing elements directly pivoted in the frame and adapted for manual movement into piercing and non-piercing positions, dual means sup-porting the elements in both positions, means for normally supporting a strip to be pierced out of engagement with said elements, When in piercing position, and said last named means being directly manually movable in the direction of said elements in simultaneously passing the elements supported in piercing position through the strip supported on said means.

17. In a device for piercing an elongated strip, with piercings extending longitudinally of the strip, said device comp-rising a plurality of alined, pivoted, piercing elements adapted for manual movement into piercing and non-piercing positions, dual means supporting the elements in both positions, means for normally supporting a strip to be pierced out of engagement with said elements, when in piercing position, said last named means being manually movable in the direction of said elements in simultaneously passing the elements supported in piercing position through the strip supported on said means, and means for automatically returning all of said elements to non-piercing position in movement `of the last named means and the strip out of engagement With said elements.

PHILIP II.BURN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 992,245 Powers May 16, 1911 1,705,091 Langford Mar. 12, 1929 1,743,277 Langford Jan. 14, 1930 2,174,088 Jensen Sept. 26, 1939 2,206,116 Ohmer July 2, 1940 2,392,488 Maccallum' Jan. 8, 1946 

